Active Design Planning for Health and Wellbeing Through Sport and Physical Activity

Active Design Planning for health and wellbeing through sport and physical activity

Active Design case studies October 2015

Supported by 2 Active Design case studies

A series of case studies have been undertaken to set out practical real-life examples of the Ten Active Design Principles and how they work in action, to inspire and encourage those engaged in the planning, design and management of our environments to deliver more active and healthier environments. Active Design

Not all Active Design Principles are relevant to all case studies. The selected examples represent a range of different active settings which demonstrate a range of the Active Design Principles in differing contexts and geographies. The case studies have been prepared in collaboration with local partners who have been closely involved in the development of the specific measures identified.

South Park, Darlington: Utilising existing spaces

Sheffield: Urban regeneration

Brooklands, Milton Keynes: An active urban extension

Bristol: An active travel city

parkrun: various locations 1 Sheffield: Urban regeneration

Gold Route and associated open spaces Central business district Public transport interchange Case study| Sheffield: Urban regeneration Gold Route extension Education campus Train and tram routes Steel Route and associated open spaces Residential area

Sheffield’s Gold Route is a major regeneration initiative These interlinked spaces provide key linked led by Sheffield City Council which has reinvigorated destinations for users to walk to, with a dramatically and revamped the City Centre not only economically, improved pedestrian environment. but has created a positive public realm, greatly As the majority of the Gold Route has been completed, increasing activity levels through walking and focus has turned to other areas of the City Centre. cycling. These public realm improvements have The Steel Route has been created, bisecting the Gold created locations which provide an area for events to Route and leading to key shopping areas Fargate and occur, both of cultural and sporting value. the Moor, whilst connecting the key business areas The Gold Route provides the central axis of the around the River Don. The Gold Route is also to be City Centre, and connects the two Universities of extended into the University of Sheffield main campus, the city, as well as providing a spine for the major connecting Weston Park, and thereby connecting the business areas and a link from the City Centre to the University sporting facilities to the City Centre. Other Train Station. Originally identified as a key strategic initiatives to link the City Centre to the surrounding pedestrian and cycle route in the 1994 City Centre inner city residential areas by both walking and Strategy, the route has underpinned the regeneration cycling are also coming forward. An example of this principles of the City Centre over the last 20 years. is Sheaf Valley Park, a linear park designed to connect the redevelopment of Park Hill flats to the city. This Public realm improvements follow strong urban park has won numerous awards in recognition of its design codes and have been designed to link key place-making and strong design principles. locations in the city, including the Station, Town Hall, City Hall, retail areas and City Squares and A strong master plan implemented over a number of Gardens. This has been undertaken in parallel with years has created interlinked places with a distinct improvements to specific areas, including significant identity and design which encourages people to walk, work around the Station to improve the gateway cycle and promotes social integration for all ages to the city; a redesign of the Peace Gardens, Tudor within the city. Square and Devonshire Green and the creation of the Winter Gardens...... 1. Activity 3. Connected 5. Network of 6. High quality 7. Appropriate 9. Management, 10. Activity for all walking & multifunctional streets & spaces infrastructure maintenance, promotion & cycling routes open space monitoring and local champions evaluation

2 PRINCIPLES IN ACTION Sheaf Valley Park

Sheaf Valley Park replaced a steep grass bank with criss-crossing mud paths. The park incorporates a re-invigorated public realm, strong urban design principles and a multitude of direct and legible walking routes which connect inner city residential areas to the Station and the Gold Route.

The topography of the area is challenging, with a steep slope leading down to the station. This slope has been employed to create a tiered amphitheatre.

This space is used for both socialising and formal Active Design events, giving a previous area with a lack of identity a key focal point. Historic characteristics have been maintained, with the original street pattern and cobbles retained, and Sheffield Steel and Yorkshire Gritstone utilised throughout.

Despite funding constraints, the difficult topography and previously low landscape quality, Sheaf Valley Park, in tandem with the Gold Route, has created a drastic improvement on the landscape and has increased opportunities for walking and cycling through the area. This has provided a key linkage for all users from the inner city residential areas to the Heart of the City. Sheaf Valley Park illustration courtesy of Sheffield City Council Sheaf Valley

Cycle and pedestrian path The interlinked network of paths and cycle routes which snake up the hillside provide a choice of routes for the user. The paths are designed to alleviate the topographical challenges of the area, allowing a Photo courtesy of Sheffield City Council steady climb to the top and therefore provide an Amphitheatre appropriate gradient for all users. If users want a As part of the landscaping in the park, an area was more direct route, steps are also provided. The routes levelled and an amphitheatre was created. This are made from robust materials, with clear signage harnesses the topography of the area, creating the and are well lit providing a safe path both by day views over the city and providing an events space. and night. This space is used for both cultural and sporting events.

3 Sheffield: The Gold Route

Weston Park Following the success of the first Gold Route stage, the Council is aspiring to extend the route westward, through the Sheffield University Campus toward Weston Park. This park, in the heart of the urban area, provides an oasis frequented by joggers, footballers, Frisbee players and cyclists. The park also links to the University swimming pool, gym and sports pitches, which are available for the community as well as Case study| Sheffield: Urban regeneration student use.

Devonshire Green Marking the end of the initial Gold Route, Devonshire Green was reimagined by the Council using Section 106 funding from neighbouring development. The result is a dynamic public space, with Gaudi-esque planters and seating and a large grassed area in the centre. The grassed area hosts a multitude of public events throughout the year. This space, and the rest of the public spaces in the City Centre, are monitored by a team of Ambassadors who are responsible for a variety of tasks including reporting antisocial behaviour and maintenance issues. This creates a feeling of safety and a high standard of upkeep across the variety of spaces. 4 Sheaf Square with Sheaf Valley Park in the background Sheaf Square Sheaf Square provides the gateway to the city from the train station. Utilising robust street furniture, fountains and Yorkshire Sandstone walkways, a strong public realm is formed. This creates a welcoming

environment that provides a legible gateway to the Active Design city. The presence of the ‘Cutting Edge’ Sculpture to the north forms a barrier to the busy trunk road, enclosing pedestrians from the traffic, mitigating both noise and visual impact and directing pedestrians along to Howard Street, where the Gold Route continues.

Howard Street Howard Street forms a direct linkage between the Station, Sheffield Hallam University and the main retail and business quarters of the city. Previously a vehicular route, this street was fully pedestrianised as part of the Gold Route enhancements, with trees, lighting and seating provided along it. Using innovative and unified paving treatments, Howard Street crosses the often congested trunk road (Sheaf Street) providing links toward the station and creating a ‘pedestrian priority’ zone across the whole street. Peace Gardens The Peace Gardens is the main City Centre square and meeting point. As can be seen from the images below the square was very much an ornamental garden before its revamp in the early 2000s which marked the beginning of the improvements outlined in the 1994 City Centre Strategy. With the demolition of the Council offices, the area was opened up entirely. Maintaining the consistent materials and the street furniture, which can be seen throughout the Gold Route, the area has become a hub of activity, being a focal point for regular events such as the Sheffield Cycling Grand Prix, charity events and large scale screenings of major sporting events. Photo courtesy of Sheffield City Council 5 Brooklands, Milton Keynes: An active urban extension

Brooklands is an urban extension to the east of Milton New homes are being constructed within a Keynes, led by master developer Places for People in comprehensive framework of green open spaces, partnership with house builders Barratt Homes and with schools, play and recreation facilities connected David Wilson Homes. When complete Brooklands will by a network of leisure routes that provide multiple house 2,501 new homes with a new population in the opportunities for activity. region of 6,000 people. Following Outline Planning Permission in 2007, Places The master plan for Brooklands, prepared by for People have led the delivery of the early phases David Lock Associates on behalf of Places for People of development and strategic infrastructure including featured in the original Active Design (2007). At open spaces, play areas, streets and active travel this time the master plan had embedded the Ten routes (both on street and open spaces). Long-term Principles of Active Design into the design philosophy management of landscape is to be taken on by the and the granting of planning permission for the hybrid Parks Trust, an independent charity that manage application was being considered by Milton Keynes many of Milton Keynes parks and green spaces83. Partnerships. Eight years on in 2015, development is With over 500 homes occupied by May 2015 new well advanced and the Ten Principles of Active Design residents have had opportunities for activity from the are now evident on the ground. outset, and Places for People report the Active Design features have been an important consideration for home buyers, with new residents attracted by the rich landscape setting for homes and the easily accessible walking/cycling routes and schools.

Brooklands Meadows linear park

Brooklands ridge with leisure routes Case study|Brooklands, Milton Keynes: An active urban extension Equipped play area

Primary school Sports Connections to pitches wider ‘Redway’ Neighbourhood Secondary network for centre school active travel

Community building & primary school Sports pitches

Brooklands Illustrative Master Plan, prepared by David Lock Associates on behalf of Places for People.

83 The Parks Trust – www.theparkstrust.com/about-us/about-us 84 Milton Keynes Redways, Destination Milton Keynes...... 1. Activity 2. Walkable 3. Connected 4. Co-location 5. Network of 6. High quality for all communities walking & of community multifunctional streets & spaces cycling routes facilities open space

6 PRINCIPLES IN ACTION Photograph courtesy of Places for People Activity for all Walkable communities New homes are positioned amongst a network Community facilities including schools, parks and play of green open spaces providing easy access to areas are all located within walking distance of new opportunities for activity, play, walking, cycling homes. Walking and cycling routes are provided on Active Design and recreation. street and through open spaces.

Co-location of community facilities Connected walking and cycling routes In addition to play areas in parkland and close to Brooklands has a comprehensive network of routes for primary schools, the planned Brooklands Square active travel within the site and links into the wider neighbourhood centre co-locates the secondary Milton Keynes network of footpaths and ‘Redways’ school with shops, services, nearby sports pitches and (over 270km of safe paths for walking and cycling community building at Broughton Brook Linear Park (see across the city84). over page for more details).

The Brooklands community and supporting facilities is framed by a comprehensive network of multifunctional open space.

Brooklands Landscape Framework highlighted on Illustrative Master Plan Network of multifunctional open space Homes and supporting community facilities at Brooklands are framed by a comprehensive network of multifunctional open spaces, including play, sports pitches, drainage, informal landscape (as illustrated above). The open spaces stretch through the site linked by tree-lined streets and spaces providing immediate access to all. 7 Active Design Principles in action: Broughton Brook Linear Park

Broughton Brook Linear Park is an example of a multifunctional open space within Brooklands that demonstrates many of the Ten Principles of Active Illustrative plan of Design. It shows how best practice can be transferred Broughton Brook Linear Park from strategic scale master planning, through to more detailed design of a specific area within a site. This linear park accommodates a range of facilities including sports pitches, a play area, potential for a wheeled sports area whilst also performing a surface 12 water drainage role with balancing ponds. The park is well connected by a series of leisure routes allowing active travel connections with the adjacent residential areas.

Community facilities will be co-located with a primary school site located next to the park, and a community centre building located between the school and the 10 park. Brooklands Square neighbourhood centre (shops, secondary school and a reserve site for a health centre) when developed will be a short walk to the north, creating a cluster of community facilities within walking and cycling distance for new residents. 11

2 1

Case study|Brooklands, Milton Keynes: An active urban extension City Street 3

5 9 11 7 Fen Street

6 Parkside Drive

9 7

BROUGHTON BROOK Parkside Drive

5. Neighbourhood Equipped 1. Brooklands Farm Area of Play (NEAP) Newport Road Community Centre – play area 2. Second primary school 6. Potential wheeled sports facility 3. Primary school playing fields 7. Ponds, balancing lagoons 4. Sports pitches 8. Flood compensation area 9. Retained trees and hedges 8 Second primary school (under construction, May 2015) The school is close to homes and community facilities in Broughton Brook Linear Park, see number 2 on plan below. Active Design

Location of Broughton Brook Linear Park, within context of Brooklands sustainable urban extension.

9 City Street

Fen Street 4

10 Parkside Drive

BROUGHTON BROOK Parkside Drive 8 7

Newport Road

10. Linear parks within streets 11. Residential plots 12. Brooklands Square neighbourhood centre 9 South Park, Darlington: Multi-use open space

South Park is a Grade II listed Historic Park and Garden utilise the space when in the town shopping and in Darlington, County Durham. Located in the centre socialising. This is supported by an integrated network of the town, South Park has become a sporting hub of walking and cycling routes which link to the park, for the area, created not only by the provision of encouraging continued use of the space. The park’s facilities, but by the management of the space itself natural settings are home to running loops (including incorporating a sporting focus. The evolution of the a parkrun route), military fitness classes and formal park over the last 20 years has been undertaken sports teams. The military fitness classes make use of with activity in mind. Walking routes have been natural topography within the park, such as slopes for improved, vegetation removed to improve sightlines tyre pushing exercises. and the public perception of the park has been The park is an example of what can be achieved by greatly enhanced. This has been achieved despite maximising the use of a centrally located and readily a challenging funding environment by focussing on accessible space which provides the infrastructure the management and maintenance of the space. The required to facilitate sporting events. The park also park is now a centre of activity in the town. illustrates the importance of local champions and The location of the park is important, being near volunteers and the management and maintenance to the town centre, so people have a tendency to techniques which allows the space to be successful.

Town Centre

Darlington Railway

Case study|South Park, Darlington: Multi-use open space Feethams Station Cricket Ground Polam Hall School

CLIFTON ROAD RIVER SKERNE SOUTH PARK

PARKSIDE

...... 1. Activity 2. Walkable 3. Connected 5. Network of 7. Appropriate 9. Management, 10. Activity for all communities walking & multifunctional infrastructure maintenance, promotion & cycling routes open space monitoring and local champions evaluation

10 PRINCIPLES IN ACTION Activities within South Park

Diverse activities The park is home to a variety of diverse activities, designed to encourage orienteering participation for including Nordic Walking, Orienteering and Fit all ages. These events have been a great success in Mamas (running with pushchairs). Nordic Walking the park, with 637 participants over 20 events. is particularly popular with older age groups (50+) Many of these activities are operated by Healthy and operates all year round, whatever the weather. Darlington (a body funded by many sources The orienteering which takes place in the park also including Sport England) and only a nominal fee is includes ‘Xplorer’ sessions. In partnership with British charged to participate. Orienteering, ‘Xplorers’ are family ‘treasure hunts’ Active Design Healthy Darlington Healthy Darlington Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of

Inviting open spaces The park is extremely well maintained by a small and dedicated team of Darlington Borough Council Gardeners creating a welcoming environment for users. The park has a café located to the rear of the bowling green. This café provides a central hub for the park, creating a meeting point for some of the activities which take place in the park. The café also provides a space for people to linger, adding vitality to the space. 11 To Durham

To town centre Victoria Road

Coniscliffe Road

South Park, Darlington: Station Multi-use open space Darlington

Polam Hall School Running Within the boundaries of the park, designated loops of variable distances have been created which are used for parkrun and charity running events, which are organised all year round and are publicised by the local council and its partners. These loops provide important informal infrastructure to facilitate activity, and are well used throughout the year. The loops have also facilitated a sharp rise in use of the park by a cluster of independent fitness partners who deliver outdoor fitness sessions including circuit training classes and fitness bootcamps. RIVER SKERNE SOUTH PARK

Park Lane

Clifton Road Darlington Borough Council Darlington Borough Council Case study|South Park, Darlington: Multi-use open space Grange Road Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of

P ark Informal Activity side The park also provides space for less formal activities which are not facilitated by local clubs or teams. Close to the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) there is a skate park. These users can sometimes be a nuisance activity in urban areas, and providing the skate park allows these activities to take place in a controlled environment, appropriately separated from other users. To York

To Middleborough

12 To Durham

To town centre Victoria Road

Coniscliffe Road

parkrun route

Station

1 mile route Darlington

Pedestrian & cycle links

Pedestrian & cycle access Polam Hall School Active Design

RIVER SKERNE SOUTH PARK

3 Park Lane

Clifton Road 9 1

4 7 Grange Road 5 6 8

P ark side 1. Park office and public 4. Play area 7. Skate park conveniences 5. MUGA 8. Sports pavilion & disabled 2. Bowling green 6. Outdoor gym adult learning centre 3. Bandstand 9. Sports pitches To York Local Football Darlington Spraire Lads and Lasses Football Club is based in the park. Originally being a gathering of To Middleborough young children playing informally, over 30 years a community football club has been formed with now more than 15 teams, covering ages 5 and up. There are also 6 ladies teams, with ages ranging from 9 to a full ladies team. All of the teams are managed by a committed team of volunteers. The club train at South Park, using the pitches provided on the ‘Show Field’ and the sports pavilion to the east of the park. This

Darlington Spraire Lads and Lasses Football Club pavilion was secured through section 106 contributions and is shared with a local disabled learning centre, who also use the park as part of their operations. Photo courtesy of 13 parkrun: Events inspiring activity

parkrun is a running event that has demonstrated The success of parkrun demonstrates many of the phenomenal success in engaging growing numbers of principles of Active Design in action. Many of the participants in regular activity at its free, weekly 5km ingredients of parkrun present lessons that may be and 2km timed runs around the world. The events transferable to other events and facilities across the UK. are co-ordinated by volunteers and the growth in the number and scale of events provides an excellent An easily transferable format example of the power of local champions and grass Central to parkrun’s success in getting people involved roots activity. in organised activity is the simplicity of the format. The regular parkrun events comprise: parkrun has seen impressive growth rates in the number of events and participants, demonstrating a •• 5km running routes starting at 9am every Saturday. successful model of engaging individuals in activity: •• 2km junior running routes every Sunday.

•• Since formation in 2004, parkrun has seen rapid •• 5km and 2km routes are in locations across the UK. advances with event locations spreading across the UK (and around the world) and participation has •• Same time, same day, a variety of locations. increased exponentially. With no charge to users participants simply have •• The first parkrun event was in 2004, a 5km to register online to take part, turn up and run. The lap around Bushy Park in West London that events are not considered to be races, rather “runs 85 was completed by 13 runners, supported by 5 where you make friends” – this welcoming principle volunteers. Collectively these 18 people are known appears to be important in attracting a wide range as the ‘parkrun pioneers’! of participants. Events are run by volunteers, indeed ‘parkrunners’ take turns to help with the coordination Case study|parkrun: Events inspiring activity •• By 2015 over 1,000 people were completing the of local events. Bushy Park event every Saturday morning and another 70,000 do the same across over 400 other locations in the UK.

•• In September 2015, parkrun had 1,268,437 unique individuals registered to the UK database.

•• parkrun is currently growing by around 1,250 new registrations per day (approx. 8,800 per week). parkrun photograph (source: David Rowe)

...... 1. Activity 3. Connected 4. Co-location 5. Network of 7. Appropriate 9. Management, 10. Activity for all walking & of community multifunctional infrastructure maintenance, promotion & cycling routes facilities open space monitoring and local champions evaluation PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES IN ACTION

14 Background photograph (source: David Rowe) What makes a good parkrun location? An objective of the parkrun organisation is the aim “to have an event in every community that wants one”70. With over 400 regular locations in the UK alone the format has proven to be easily transferable. Part of the reason for the successful replication of parkrun in many locations is the simple criteria required to stage a parkrun event. Key features include: •• The ability to host a 5 kilometer route: this need not be a traditional wide ranging loop, it can be Active Design a straight line route that double backs on itself as demonstrated by the parkrun event along the seafront at Aberystwyth, Wales, or the beach run at Portrush, Northern Ireland; •• No running down sets of steps (running up is okay); and •• No running on roads/public highways. Beyond these basic criteria other features that help to facilitate a successful parkrun event include: •• Public conveniences; •• Parking for bicycles and cars; Locations of 5km parkrun Saturday events •• Catering facilities – a popular end to a run is a shared cup of tea or coffee; and •• Flat or uphill routes for home straights/finishes! The listed components that help to create a successful location of a parkrun event are aligned with a number of the principles of Active Design, including: •• Connected Walking & Cycling Routes (Active Design Principle 3): parkrun routes are not on roads or public highways so networks of footpaths or shared footway/cycleways are crucial – as demonstrated by the Willen Lake parkrun in Milton Keynes that utilities the local network of ‘Redways’ (shared walking/cycling leisure routes). •• Network of Multifunctional Open Space (Active Design Principle 5): a series of connected open spaces with leisure route connections are ideal for a parkrun event. There are a number of parkrun routes within the grounds of National Trust properties. These work well as the estates often provide large areas of connected spaces with formal and informal routes, whilst also providing car parking and public conveniences. Locations of 2km junior parkrun Sunday events

85 quote from parkrun: www.parkrun.org.uk All statistical information courtesy of parkrun, correct as of September 2015. 15 Activity for all Local champions – volunteers The popularity of parkrun can be partially attributed parkrun provides a good example of community to the principle that it is an event that welcomes involvement: all local events are delivered entirely people of all ages and abilities. by volunteers on a weekly basis. The facilitation of parkrun events relies on an engaged volunteer In addition to the regular Saturday 5km events there community and since the movement started it are now over 60 junior parkrun events, typically with has seen 90,000 different people volunteer around 5,000 juniors completing 2km each Sunday. 800,000 times. Currently, around 7,000 different Almost half of the people registered on the UK parkrun people volunteer across parkrun events on a weekly participant database are female. basis. This engenders a self-supporting ethos, with runners taking their turn to volunteer when they may usually be a participant. The volunteers not only facilitate events but perform important roles as local champions, (as per Active Design Principle 10), promoting activity and welcoming newcomers. Case study|parkrun: Events inspiring activity parkrun photograph (source: Glen Turner) parkrun photograph (source: David Rowe) parkrun photograph (source: David Rowe) parkrun photograph (source: David Rowe) 16 Integration of parkrun into new development The concept of parkrun has expanded overseas and the success of parkrun in Australia has led to links being established with developers of new housing schemes. Representatives of parkrun Australia are now working with development companies to help design parkrun routes into master plan proposals from an early stage of the design process. The benefits include: •• parkrun gains new locations for events, specially designed into new schemes so thought can be given Active Design to routes, setting and facilities. •• Developers are able to advertise their product (new homes) as benefiting from integrated community facilities and recreation including parkrun routes. •• The public as a whole benefit from the increased parkrun photograph (source: Glen Turner) opportunities for activity afforded by the provision of new parkrun routes.

One of parkrun Australia’s national partners is the Stockland Property Group. Working together parkrun Australia and Stockland have so far successfully integrated parkrun events into six residential communities and one shopping centre, with potential to integrate parkrun events into the retirement living sector in the future. All of these parkrun events have been on pre-existing paths and parks. However, Stockdale now have a policy of ensuring all new communities come with a minimum of a 2.5km uninterrupted path, perfect for an out-and-back parkrun. parkrun photograph (source: David Rowe)

Monitoring and evaluation Graph illustrating growth in the number of weekly parkrun runners parkrun undertakes considerable (5km and 2km runners combined) monitoring of its events in order to 120000 compile and maintain a database that has the potential to provide 100000 important evidence for the fields of health and wellness. parkrun 80000 established a Research Board in 2013: this is a group of world 60000 class academics who receive applications to engage with the 40000 Number of parkrun runners per week parkrun community from research groups around the World. An 20000 example of recent research was 0 support given to a project looking at 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 Week Number running during pregnancy. (October 2004 to October 2015)

All statistical information courtesy of parkrun, correct as of September 2015. 17 Bristol: An active travel city

Bristol is a City that has made significant inroads into the City Council and other partners. These measures Active Design with particular success in promoting include: walking and cycling. •• Cycle and walking infrastructure – a growing Efforts to improve opportunities for active travel have network of walk/cycle paths been sustained over a long period of time, arguably •• Landmark features – prominent bridges and other being kick-started in the 1980s with the pioneering facilities that promote active travel Bristol to Bath Sustrans cycle route and concerted, collaborative working across the health, transport, •• 20mph streets – city wide commitment to reduce planning and design spectrum. Bristol has achieved speed limit to create safe streets significant advances over a number of years with •• Active Travel Champions – high level political higher than average levels of walking and cycling support and key officer roles (Bristol is in the top 10 local authorities in England with the highest percentage of adults cycling at least once •• Mapping – high quality mapping to help per month, in 2013/14, at a rate of 26%86). navigation on the ground •• Promotion – campaigns to raise awareness A range of actions Bristol’s growing success in supporting active travel •• Events – supporting active travel like ‘Make Sunday cannot be attributed to one single initiative, rather Special’, Playing Out the growth of active travel in the City is the result of a This list is not exhaustive but represents a number of

Case study|Bristol: An active travel city wide range of actions that have been implemented initiatives that can be taken to support Active Design over a period of years across the City supported by at a City scale.

Wayfinding – ‘Bristol High quality public realm, Tree-lined streets Places to sit Events promotion legible city’ initiative streets and spaces to enjoy

Waterside Wayfinding – ‘Bristol Places to sit Increasing number leisure routes legible city’ initiative of cyclists

...... 1. Activity 3. Connected 6. High quality 7. Appropriate 10. Activity for all walking & streets & spaces infrastructure promotion & cycling routes local champions

18 PRINCIPLES IN ACTION Cycle & walking infrastructure – a Active Travel Champions – high level growing network of paths political support and key officer roles Bristol has a diverse network of walking and Bristol has backed active travel from the highest level cycling paths, running through the City Centre and with prominent support from the City’s elected Mayor expanding out into the residential suburbs. Bristol George Ferguson. Mayor Ferguson, a keen cyclist, has not been afraid to test and trial different design has led a number of initiatives in the City that have approaches as illustrated in the range of photos. promoted active travel. Bristol City Council led the Walking and cycle routes range from reallocation of active travel agenda in the City with strong examples road and pavement space with painted lines, through of cross departmental working, helping to bring to purpose built cycle lanes with kerb delineation together experience and knowledge from health, from the vehicular carriageway. Other sections of planning, design and transport planning disciplines. routes include ‘shared surfaces’, leisure paths within Notable in this respect is Bristol Health Partners87 and parks, green spaces or adjacent to rivers. The network the “Supporting Healthy Inclusive Neighbourhood is evolving and growing with further extensions Environments Health Integration Team” (SHINE HIT), planned, and increasing connections improve the an initiative which unites the fields of public health Active Design level of access and continuity of the network. The and transport, with expertise drawn from the council, dedicated cycle routes coupled with the strategy for NHS and local universities. The concept of sharing streets with 20mph speed limits and the compact form expertise and evidence bases between public health of the City provide an extensive network of routes and transport within the local authority presents a supporting active travel. positive model that could be applied more widely in other councils, making best use of council resources to help promote active travel with benefits for both public health and transport planning.

Cycle path with segregation from vehicular Riverside walking and cycling routes through existing carriageway and footway parks and green spaces

Cycle/walking paths on existing wide pavements Dedicated cycle lanes on existing routes and bridges where vehicular traffic has been removed

86 Local Area Walking and Cycling Statistics: England, 2013/14 (Department of Transport, Statistical Release, 23 June 2015). 87 Supporting Healthy Inclusive Neighbourhood Environments. Bristol Health and Partners 19 The Bristol and Bath Railway Path Mapping – high quality mapping to This is the oldest section of the Sustrans National help navigation on the ground Cycle Network, created by volunteers on a section of Bristol has a comprehensive scheme of wayfinding disused railway line. When the route was established signage with maps and information. Signs on streets in the late 1970s to early 1980s it was a pioneering are supported by fold out paper maps and electronic development and has inspired many further cycle information available via the City Council’s website. routes in Bristol and nationwide. The success of the The signage and mapping forms part of the Bristol route is marked by its popularity both as a commuter Legible City information system: route and as a leisure path. Sustrans, Bristol City “Bristol Legible City is a unique concept to improve Council and other groups have prepared informative people’s understanding and experience of the city guides and maps to aid users of the route, part of through the implementation of identity, information a wider strategy of ensuring adequate information and transportation projects. Bristol Legible City is available to help people to use networks in the projects include direction signs, on street information City and to highlight nearby visitor destinations and panels with city and area maps, printed walking recreational opportunities. maps, visitor information identity and arts projects. These projects communicate the city consistently and effectively to visitors and residents alike” 88. Case study|Bristol: An active travel city

Signage on the streets of Bristol

The Bristol and Bath Railway Path on the morning Paper and electronic mapping to compliment commute and school run wayfinding signage on the streets

20 88 Bristol Legible City: www.bristollegiblecity.info. Landmark features 20mph streets – City wide commitment Specific infrastructure projects creating new links to reduce speed limit to create safe in active travel networks can also be a good way streets of raising the profile of active travel. Bristol has Bristol has backed up initiatives such as 20mph successfully incorporated prominent foot/cycle streets with promotional campaigns that help to raise bridges and other facilities that promote active travel awareness and increase participation. The 20mph into new developments and emerging plans. Two streets initiative has been promoted with advertising recent examples are new foot/cycle bridges that and has a dedicated web based resource, all part of create highly visible architectural features close to the ‘Bristol’s Better at 20’ campaign90. Bristol Temple Meads Station, associated with the Bristol is one of a number of UK authorities that has adjacent Enterprise Zone: both Meads Reach Bridge taken steps to reduce vehicular speeds on most (also known as ‘Cheese-grater Bridge’) and Valentine roads to 20mph to create safer, healthy streets that Bridge (see photo) provide prominent landmarks are more inviting to active travel, less dominated that promote cycling and walking as a visible travel by vehicles and more friendly to people, supporting choice, and create new links in the cycle network. active lifestyles. Active Design Bristol City Council voted to bring in a 20mph speed limit throughout Bristol in July 2012. The scheme is estimated to cost £2.3million, funded from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF). The lower speed limit has been introduced in six phases between January 2014 and September 2015. All roads except dual carriageways, 40mph and 50mph roads have been considered for the new 20mph speed limit. The speed limit applies to all motorised vehicles on the road and is enforced through the use of signage and in some locations associated speed control measures.92

A future review will be undertaken to help determine if additional interventions (e.g. traffic calming measures) are required to help keep speeds down. Valentine Bridge: landmark curved foot/cycle bridge as a feature of new development near Temple Meads in your communit Station/Enterprise Zone y

Events – supporting active travel like ‘Make Sunday Special’ Active travel has been encouraged in a range of regular events, supported and run by the local Returns bigger and better than ever in 2015! authorities, charities and other stakeholder groups For the first time, Make Sunday Special goes out into Bristol neighbourhoods, as well as events at St Nicholas including ‘Playing Out’89. Examples of such events Market in the Old City on the first Sunday of each month. include ‘Make Sunday Special’90 which includes MAKE SUNDAY SPECIAL: OLD CITY events in public spaces, sports, recreation and even 3 May, 7 June, giant water slides! Encouraging use of streets for play 5 July, 2 August, 6 September and recreation has been supported by temporary Explore the streets for art, music, markets, street closures. Over 100 streets in Bristol are now performers and more. regularly closed to vehicular traffic (using temporary road closure orders) to encourage use by residents.

in your communit • 14 June – North St, Bedminstery • 23 August – Stapleton Rd, Easton • 6 September – Hartcliffe • 13 September – Avonmouth Fun, family-friendly, community led events.in your community Keep up to date at: www.bristol.gov.uk/makesundayspecial www.facebook.com/makesundayspecial

@MakeSunSpecial

Image courtesy of Bristol City Council

in your community

89 Playing Out: www.playingout.net. 90 Make Sunday Special, Bristol City Council. 91 Bristol’s Better at 20. Bristol City Council. 92 20mph: Rollout (2014/2015), Bristol City Council. For more information on 20mph streets see the GO20 information under Active Design Principle 3. 21 Sport England 1st Floor 21 Bloomsbury Street London WC1B 3HF [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)3458 508 508